THIS MAN RECEIVES SINNERS

 

Sunday, September 29, 2024

 

THIS MAN RECEIVES SINNERS

 

Luke 15:2-5

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

 

          It appears everywhere that Jesus prefers the common rather than the elite, those “basket of deplorables” rather than those who think themselves better. He is attracted to humility rather than hubris.  This man receives sinners! The Pharisees could bestow no greater compliment, though unintended. Jesus’ parable was against them. He was not seeking them because they did not consider themselves lost. As a result, they remained in the wilderness.

 

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured–

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin!

 

          There is a couplet at the end of one of Spurgeon’s daily devotionals. It speaks eloquently of God’s grace.

 

Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare;

You can't come too filthy -- come just as you are.

 

Gal 3:22

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

 

Dear Lord, only when we acknowledge our unworthiness can we receive your grace. Thank you, Lord. AMEN